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Passing a School Bus

KRS 189.370 — a stop from any direction while the stop arm and red lights are out

  • When a school or church bus is stopped with its stop arm and signal lights on, a driver approaching from any direction stops and does not go on until the bus has finished and is moving.
  • Traffic coming the other way on a highway of four or more lanes divided by a barrier or unpaved median does not have to stop.
  • The driver turns on the amber lights before stopping, then the stop arm and red lights once stopped.
  • KRS 189.370
  • KRS 189.375
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A first offense carries a fine of $200 to $500, 30 to 60 days in jail, or both; a later offense within three years, $300 to $1,000, 60 days to six months, or both.

Sources for this section (3)
  1. KRS 189.370 — Passing stopped school or church bus prohibited -- Application to properly marked vehicles -- Rebuttable presumption as to identity of violator
  2. KRS 189.375 — School or church bus signaling device -- Use -- Stopping regulated
  3. KRS 189.990 — Penalties

Legal information, not legal advice. Verified as of October 2026. Applying it to a particular situation is the work of a licensed Kentucky attorney.

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